Israel Recognizes Somaliland; Somalia, Regional Allies Condemn Move

📌Key Points

• •Israel officially recognized Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, becoming the first country to do so.
• •The foreign ministers of Somalia, Egypt, Turkey, and Djibouti condemned Israel's decision, affirming Somalia's unity and territorial integrity.
• •Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited expanding cooperation, aligning with the Abraham Accords, and combating terrorism (monitoring Houthis) as reasons for the recognition.
• •Somaliland, which has maintained de facto autonomy since 1991, hopes this recognition will encourage other nations to follow suit.
• •Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called Israel's move a "grave breach of Somalia's sovereignty" and a "flagrant violation of international law."
• •Egypt and Turkey criticized the recognition as interference in Somalia's affairs, linking it to Israel's broader foreign policy.